LAMAR UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE
MINUTES FOR MAY 7, 2003
ATTENDANCE (including newly elected Senators)
Arts and Sciences: Rick Altemose, Don Carey, Paul Griffith, Martha Rinker, Steven Zani,Terri Davis, Donna Bumpus, Bruce Drury, Dave Castle, Judy Mann, Dianna Rivers, Mike Mathis, Paul Nicoletto; Absent: Christine Bridges-Esser, George Irwin, Jim Jordan, Vernice Monroe, Max Loges, Walter Sutton, Sheila Smith, Stephanie Yearwood, Iva Hall, James Sanderson
B usiness: Jai Young Choi, Larry Allen, Carl Mantano, Celia Varick, K. C. Sen, Frank Cavaliere; Absent: AlicenFlosi, Larry Spradley
Education: Kimberly Chalambaga, Lula Henry, George McLaughlin, FaraGoulas, George Strickland, Bill Holmes; Absent: Joel Barton, Kim Griffith, Bernadette Moore
Engineering: Alec Mathesin, Peggy Doerschuk, Mien Jao, David Read, Valentin Andreev, Hsing Wei Chu, John Gossage; Absent: Bernard Maxum
Fine Arts and Communication: Travis Almany, Kurt Gilman, Ann Matlock, Zanthia Smith, Prince Thomas; Absent: Larry Elliott, SumalaiMaroonroge, Nicki Michaelski
Library: Jon Tritsch, Sarah Tusa
Developmental Studies: Joe Kemble
CALL TO ORDER
Faculty Senate President Bruce Drury called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
MINUTES
The approval of the April 2, 2003 Minutes was tabled pending distribution to all Senators via e-mail.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1. The Legislature is still in session, so crazy activities continue. The Senate has passed a budget that is relatively good for us, a 0.1% reduction from the 2002-2003 base, according to TFA. Other schools are taking a hit of up to 16%. If the conference compromise is closer to the proposed House budget we will lose funds.
2. Cardinal III is still a probably, to start construction this fall. The renovation of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Bldg. Is complete. POLS and PSYC will move next week. Chemistry continues and plans are being drawn up for McFaddin, Maes, Geo, McDon, etc.
3. We will end the open use of Social Security numbers next June.
4. We are required by law to send lab fees to Austin, thus they disappeared this winter. Course fees stay with us so we have been substituting course fees wherever possible.
5. Departments are expected to create promotion and tenure criteria. They shall be approved by the faculty of each department.
6. Administrator evaluations: Seven chairs and one associate dean are up.
7. Health insurance coverage has been cut and the co-pay has increased.
COMMITTEE REPORTS ON PROPOSED AGENDA
Academic Issues: Chris Bridges. No report.
Faculty Issues: Bill Holmes. The committee is continuing its follow-up of recent college/university committee elections. Concerning recent evaluations of deans/chars, feedback has been provided for all but two chairs. These will be provided soon, according to EVPAA Doblin. There are proposed changes to the promotion and tenure procedure, and also to F 2.08 in order to improve the process. Post tenure review has been restored to its original procedure.
Budget & Compensation: Valentin Andreev. President Simmons has given the University Cost Savings Committee, Valentin Andreev, chair, Peggy Doerschuk, Bruce Drury, a wide avenue in which to study ways to save operating funds for Lamar University. The Committee requests input from all faculty and staff. Concerning the giving, by faculty members, of money to support departmental budgets and operations, the future Committee will request information concerning exactly where this money is going.
Development & Research: Judy Mann. The Committee has distributed and received back their questionnaires from universities across the state concerning methods and strategies for stimulating faculty research and development grants. Some of the returned questionnaires contained extensive methods and ideas. There will be a workshop next fall, on September 10 & 11, to offer assistance in the preparation of Developmental Leave application packets.
Distinguished Faculty Lecturer: Dianna Rivers. The Committee has selected Richard Harrel as the 2003 DFL.
OLD BUSINESS
Engineering dean. Several allegations have been presented to the Senate concerning violations of procedure and ethics by the Dean of Engineering. The Senate passed a motion, presented by Larry Allen and seconded by Terri Davis, to authorize the Faculty Senate President to appoint a committee to investigate these allegations.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business was presented.
OPEN COMMENTS
No open comments were presented.
ADJOURN
The 2003 Faculty Senate adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
CONVEINING OF 2003-2004 SENATE
Faculty Senate Secretary Kurt Gilman officially convened the 2003-2004 Faculty Senate for the purpose of electing officers. The 2003-2004 Senators unanimously elected the following:
President: Peggy Doerschuk
Vice President: Bill Holmes
Secretary: Kurt Gilman
ADJOURN
The 2003-2004 Senate adjourned at 4:00 p.m.